What’s happening right now is personal.

Hi Sandeep, it’s Congressman Mark Takano – I’m the first gay person of color to ever be elected to Congress, and Chair of the Equality Caucus in the House. I remember the days when gay people were ostracized, stigmatized, and cast aside. Thanks to the efforts of our community and allies, we’ve made massive strides towards true equality. But after decades of fighting for equality, the progress we’ve worked so hard to win is being torn apart by the Trump administration and their allies. In 2026 alone, Republicans have introduced over 500+ anti‑LGBTQ bills across the country. The Trump administration is waging a war against transgender Americans. And RFK Jr. is trying to cut access to PrEP, even though we’re only a decade away from eliminating HIV/AIDS. As a proud gay man, I refuse to go back. I will fight homophobic Republicans at every turn – but I can’t do it alone. Equality PAC is the largest LGBTQ+ PAC in the country, and every cent we raise goes towards electing LGBTQ+ leaders and allies who fight not just for this community, but for personal freedom for all Americans. This Pride Month, can I count on you to split a donation between my campaign and Equality PAC? >> As a young man in the 1980s, I was coming to terms with my sexuality at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I was terrified to live out my truth as I watched my peers die of a mysterious disease, completely abandoned by the Reagan administration. In the 1990s, my Republican opponent, Ken Calvert (who is still in Congress today!), publicly outed me in a campaign mailer: While he thought that would shame me out of public life, I kept going – and in 2012, I became the first openly gay person of color ever elected to Congress. We’ve come a long way since these moments, but each of them feels like just yesterday to me. That’s why what’s happening right now feels so personal — and so urgent. I’ll never stop working to protect the LGBTQ community, but I can’t do it alone – so can I count on you to join my fight, Sandeep? Split a donation between my campaign and Equality PAC today to elect me and more Democrats who will block these far‑right attacks and fight for a better future >> If you’ve saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your contribution will be split to Mark Takano and Equality PAC immediately: Express Donate: $10 >> Express Donate: $25 >> Express Donate: $50 >> Express Donate: $100 >> Express Donate: $250 >> Donate Any Amount >> Happy Pride, Rep. Mark Takano If you really want to go, click here to unsubscribe from our activist list. PAID FOR BY EQUALITY PAC AND NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE. YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH EQUALITY PAC’S MATCHING FUNDS PROGRAM TO MATCH THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OTHER CONTRIBUTORS.